Creamy Tuscan Chicken Penne with Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Print-Friendly Version)
Chicken, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes are folded through penne with a cream-and-Parmesan sauce. This version keeps the sauce free of cottage cheese.
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House placeholder — AdSense units launch here# Ingredients You’ll Need:
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 12 oz penne pasta
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - Up to 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
10 - 1/8 teaspoon pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
14 - 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Cook penne according to its package, reserving half a cup of cooking water before draining. Drain oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, or soften dry-packed tomatoes according to their label before measuring.
02 - Season chicken with basil, pepper and salt as needed. Heat oil in a skillet and cook chicken until thick centers reach 165°F; rest briefly on a clean board and slice.
03 - Lower the heat. Briefly cook garlic, then add sun-dried tomatoes, oregano and broth, scraping up browned bits. Add cream and simmer gently until slightly thickened.
04 - Lower heat and stir in Parmesan. Fold in pasta, sliced chicken, spinach and pepper flakes, stirring until spinach wilts and chicken is hot.
05 - Loosen with reserved pasta water in small additions if needed. Taste before adding further salt and finish with parsley.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 - Oil-packed tomatoes should be drained. Dry-packed tomatoes may need soaking according to the package; tough dry pieces will not soften instantly in cream.
02 - Add it with the tomatoes and broth so it disperses through the sauce. It was listed but unused in the older instructions.
03 - Broth, tomatoes and Parmesan can already be salty. Treat the listed teaspoon as an upper allowance rather than adding it all automatically.
04 - No. The separate guide uses cottage cheese and eight ounces of pasta; this version uses cream, broth and twelve ounces of penne.